‘Smallville’s Erica Durance Dishes on ‘Clois,’ Kisses and More

Lois Lane may not yet be aware of her sweetheart Clark’s alter ego, but she’s about to dig up some other top-secret out-of-this-world intel. On the occasion of ‘Smallville’s two-hour “Absolute Justice” event (Friday at 8/7c, The CW), we invited Erica Durance to preview Lois’ next big scoop and weigh in on the truly super romance currently unfolding on our screens.

Your mom’s not within earshot like the last time we talked, is she?No. [Laughs] I’m all alone. How bizarre was that?!

I asked Brian Peterson this question, and would now like to get your take: What was more difficult, keeping the Clark-Lois romance at arm’s length or now honoring it?
I think each one was its own kind of animal. It’s always tricky, when you’ve created this kind of angst-filled relationship, to figure out a great way for them to get together. So I think it was a lot more difficult figuring out how to honor this relationship. Being so iconic, it already has such a great blueprint out there. There have been a lot of conversations back and forth.

Now that all eyes are on you more than ever, has there been a particular kiss or love scene that gave you anxiety to sell to the viewers?I just take each situation on its own accord and try to find out where it was coming from and make it really real. I try to make sure it’s not just a kiss for a kiss’ sake. I have a tendency to overanalyze anyways, and I’m really overanalyzing these [moments]. [Laughs]

As “Absolute Justice” rolls around, where do things stand with Lois and Clark (played by Tom Welling)?We’re still at the tentative, starting out phase, realizing that we have feelings for each other, doing the dating thing…. We’re still sussing each other out.

While Clark is out meeting his costumed peers, what’s Lois up to?Lois is doing her own investigative research [into the Justice Society of America]. What I love about this is she’s running parallel to what everybody else is doing. Clark is finding out all this stuff by actually speaking to [JSA members] while Lois, thanks to her own tenacity, comes up with similar answers. You get to see her journalistic side more.

The logline for the episode says that the covert Checkmate organization sends Lois a package. Were you excited to see her get wrapped up in the Amanda Waller storyline?Absolutely, it’s really nice to get interwoven into that. They sprinkle in that Lois may be in contact with this character again, and I love that.

Pam Grier (‘Foxy Brown’) is pretty perfect casting, as Amanda.And she was really gracious and fun to work with. As an actor, the story is really great, but then I go, “I get to work with Pam, who’s fantastic!” The energy was so different on set when she walked in.

Skipping ahead to next week’s episode, “Warrior,” a few of the released images have people talking. For one, what’s up with Zatanna (Serinda Swan) kissing Clark?Yeah, well…. [Laughs] Let’s just say Lois feels territorial. She doesn’t have to witness it, thank goodness – that’s something she wouldn’t want in her brain forever – but she does find out about it and deals with it in her very brash, Lois way, which I thought was great. What about Lois’ outfit, what are you hearing about that? (See photo here c/o Kryptonsite.)

Some of the fans have dubbed your costumed self “Wonder Lane.”[Laughs] We have these great designers who made me an “Amazon princess” for the day, because we have to be careful not to do Wonder Woman. And Lois then has to deal with this run-in with Zatanna, who – let’s face it – is every woman’s nightmare. You really don’t want your boyfriend kissing this chick. As Lois finds herself in this situation, she realizes how much it affects her and how jealous she was about it… It was a fun episode to do, but Lois didn’t like it very much!

What about Lois and Chloe (Allison Mack)? What’s the dynamic between the cousins these days?Lois and Chloe haven’t been around each other, their stories don’t overlap too much. In “Warrior” you see that they still have their close, cousin relationship, but Lois alludes to the fact that “You need to get out and be with people more.” She doesn’t know what Chloe’s doing, but she knows that she’s cut herself off from people and been off on her own.

“Warrior” marked your first time being directed by Allison. How did it go?She has this great, really positive energy. She loves directing. And what’s nice about Allison is she is an actress so she knows where you’re coming from. When somebody is coming from the other side [of the camera], it’s always helpful because they know how to say things in a certain way to help you out.

Having now seen Tom Welling and Allison do it, do you have a yen to direct?Not right now. I’m loving acting, and I want to continue to appreciate and understand that side, to become a better actress. As far as taking the helm and telling people what to do, no thank you. [Laughs]